Health and Sport Committee does not support organ donation bill

Labour MSP Anne McTaggart’s proposals to introduce a ‘soft opt-out’ organ donation register has failed to get a backing from the majority of the Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee, according to its Stage 1 report.

It follows the Scottish Government’s rejection of the bill in December. “We don't believe the bill could be satisfactorily amended,” said Public Health Minister Maureen Watt at the time. Instead, she said, the implementation of the scheme in Wales would be monitored to see if it led to a higher rate of available organs for transplant.

The group of MSPs was split. A majority felt “there is not enough clear evidence to demonstrate that changing to the opt-out system of organ donation as proposed in this bill would result in an increase in donations”.

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However a minority supported the bill. Committee convener Duncan McNeill said: “As a committee we have to consider all the evidence placed in front of us and it was clear that there are differing views about the best way to increase donation rates.  

 “Whilst the committee supported the aim behind the legislation, a majority couldn’t support the detail. 

“However, a minority of the committee do consider that this bill should be introduced immediately.”

Doctor’s union the BMA said it was “disappointed” in the decision. Dr Sue Robertson, a member of the BMA’s Scottish council who is a kidney doctor in Dumfries, said the bill would save lives.

“As a doctor who looks after patients both waiting for and having received organs I see the difference that a transplant makes to my patients’ lives.

“Organ donation is a ‘gift’ which has the potential to transform the lives of others, which is why I feel so passionately that we need to act now to do all we can to increase the number of organs available for transplantation.

 “If properly implemented, with adequate resources and staff, and backed up by a high profile publicity campaign, an opt-out system could save or transform peoples’ lives.  All the time we waste now means that more lives will be lost.”

The division in the committee follows a similar split over another Labour MSP’s member’s bill, Dr Richard Simpson’s proposals on alcohol. It is thought the splits are on party political lines.